Elderly women “expect to work” up 3 times?

So much more “elderly” expect to work longer because of necessity or preference?

I refer to the article “Singaporeans expect to work for longer as 70 becomes the new 60: Survey” (Straits Times, Oct 27).

It states that “Survey respondents were more likely to report that they expected to work past age 65 if they were male, low-educated, low-wealth, single, or healthy, the figures showed.

Is it any surprise that most of those who expect “to work past age 65 if they were male, low-educated, low-wealth, single, or healthy” – given that Singapore has hardly any significant support schemes for the elderly, unless they are arguably very poor and able to pass means testing that generally look at household income, income of immediate family members, type of housing, lifetime CPF contributions (Silver Support Scheme that pays only between $100 to $250 monthly from age 65), money in the bank, immediate family’s Medisave accounts’ balances, etc.

It may simply be the practical reality of work and earn to support yourself till you die.

You just have to see who are typically the cleaners, security guards, etc – low-wage elderly Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans.

As to “For female Singaporeans, almost one in five sees herself in a full-time role past age 70 – more than twice the current 7 per cent rate” – don’t you feel sad or alarmed that so many elderly women expect, or arguably need to work to survive – at about three times more than the current rate (20 (one in five) divided by 7 per cent))?

About the Author

Leong Sze Hian has served as president of 4 professional bodies, honorary consul of 2 countries, an alumnus of Harvard University, authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been a radio talkshow host, a newspaper daily columnist, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for theonlinecitizen and Malaysiakini, executive producer of Ilo Ilo (40 international awards), invited to speak more than 200 times in over 30 countries, CIFA advisory board member, founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of Indonesia and Brunei. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional qualifications.